Rain still poured down from the sky, littering the empty streets of Grandheart with a flood of water. I walked through the heavy downpour, heading towards the location Lilia had given me. Although I didn't know exactly where, I doubted that the stench of blood would hide itself for long.
Thankfully, my new inhuman body didn't mind the cold, although I was soaked head to toe, I didn't feel even an inkling of cold. However, it was still extremely uncomfortable.
The only source of light in the darkness was the dim moonlight casting a low, pale light across the whole city. It was quite beautiful, but it didn't aid my efforts much, my vision being greatly impaired.
It was practically a second sun when Lucius appeared, meaning Lucius must have left the proximity of the city by now. I didn't doubt that he'd return after all; he no longer had any choice but to follow my will.
The full extent of my power was unknown to me; I couldn't yet grasp the strings of true divinity. My power didn't hold a candle to Seraphina's; I wasn't even sure that I could surpass her.
It was always said on Earth that a creation could never surpass its creator. For my own sake, I hoped that such a law didn't exist in this world.
Eventually, I reached the end of my trail, and the towering walls loomed ahead. It appeared Lilia's information was correct just below the walls of the southern side. There sat a collection of small homes, each with a small basement.
The stench of blood and decay hung heavy in the air; it was almost suffocating. I knew of the divide between the poor and rich through Artoria, but I really didn't believe it to be this bad.
The further away you get from Ickni's eye, the Spire. The more suffering you'll see, although it was midnight, many poor men, women, and children were huddled together sleeping on the streets. Despite their condition, they still wore sacred bands.
I'd found my destination, but I still couldn't track the exact smell to Lilia's parents. I didn't know their scent, so they all blended in with each other. Truly troublesome, I'd have to question the locals.
I slowly walked towards an alone man nestled in the corner of two houses. He was covered with a cloak, but from what I could see, his head had been shaved bald with many cuts running along his skull.
Kneeling down, I slowly shook him awake. He jumped backwards into the wall, alarmed by my presence, to calm his heart. I created a single ball of light illuminating the surrounding area.
In the presence of newfound light, my jaw stiffened at the man's appearance. His right eye was completely missing, two gory scars replacing it.
His two wings weren't in any better condition, stained brown and a muddy crimson. Many feathers were missing as if they had been ripped out.
"It's okay, I mean no harm. I'm merely looking for information. If you cooperate, I'll give you another sphere of light. They generate heat, and hopefully they'll aid with the cold."
I tried to keep my voice as passive and gentle as possible. The sphere floated towards the man's hand. He slowly caressed the sphere, his remaining eye widening.
"You're that wingless golden-eyed Servant. I've never seen light generate warmth before."
"What is your name, stranger?"
"Marcus Twilight. Your Evernight, right? I've heard of you; many stories of your courage have been spreading throughout the streets. I can't believe that this city is actually praising a wingless."
"Do you not like wingless, Marcus?"
"What! No, no. I have no disdain for the wingless; I can't say much about them. Just look at me."
Marcus raised his hands in protest, swaying them frankly. I let out a small laugh at his behaviour, calming the man's worries.
"Don't worry about it. I wasn't being serious; I truly don't care if someone likes the wingless or not."
"Oh, I'm sorry anyway. It must be hard, you know, living in a palace full of bigots."
Marcus slowly collapsed against the wall, taking a seat on the ground once again. It seemed I was successful in calming the man's mind; I quite liked Marcus' spirit. He was interesting despite his situation; he didn't openly complain about it to me.
"Haha. It's really not all that bad; the servants don't say anything anymore. The only thing that is inconvenient is their refusal to clean my room. But it's not like I mind it, I find cleaning to be relaxing."
"Yeah, it's high treason to speak negatively to a Divine String. I couldn't blame, I've heard about the Palace, it's a walking hellspace."
Marcus averted his eye from me, tracing a collection of lines into the dirt.
"You have no need to think about the palace, but I will say if you ever get the opportunity to step foot in its walls, don't."
"I know. Once you enter the palace, you'll never leave."
"I need something from you. Have you noticed any houses, people, or scents that are suspicious?"
"Um, I'm not really sure. But I remember like a week ago that I saw four people, and some weird creature went into that house over there."
Marcus pointed towards a house as plain as any other. Although once I heightened my senses with divinity, a sudden burst of malicious intent crashed into me.
My teeth involuntarily bit down on my lip, drawing a small sliver of blood.
"I tried to get a better look, but I couldn't move when I got to the front entrance. It was as if a thousand eyes had all locked in on me at the exact same time," said Marcus.
My eyes locked in on the building, a wave of scarlet energy pouring from every surface. I hadn't seen malicious intent take such a form before. I didn't think it possible, but here it stands.
A well of unbridled murder.
"Marcus, you should leave this place. Only death exists in these streets now, leave."
"But... Where are we supposed to go?"
My face snapped to Marcus, causing him to shrink back.
"I wasn't asking, leave now. I don't care where you go, but if you stay, you'll be crushed." I barked.
My patience was waning; he was swiftly becoming an inconvenience. I wouldn't be able to fight with this many people littered around the streets.
"Wake everyone, evacuate this area. Tell them, it's the Custodian's order. The penalty for refusal is death; do not test my patience." I ordered.
I didn't wish to see any of them dead in a sea of crimson; I'd forsake my kindness if I could accomplish that.
Marcus's eyes shook with blatant fear, his face breaking out into a sweat.
"Okay. I'll do it, just please don't hurt us."
"I'd never dream of it. Go now."
Marcus swiftly picked himself up and ran off. I watched him shake the homeless awake, then knock on doors, practically shouting at them to evacuate. Once he said the Custodian's name, everyone promptly followed his orders, quickly running away, casting the area into silence.
Once I was sure no one remained, I approached the entrance of the house, passing through its small garden without issue, reaching the basement entrance.